Switzerland may be known as the home luxury watchmaking, but a small town in Germany is giving it a run for its money. Glashütte, perched on the country's eastern border with Czech Republic, is the birthplace of fine-watchmaking companies such as A. Lange & Sohne, one of whose models is shown here.
German precision —
Switzerland may be known as the home luxury watchmaking, but a small town in Germany is giving it a run for its money. Glashütte, perched on the country's eastern border with Czech Republic, is the birthplace of fine-watchmaking companies such as A. Lange & Sohne, one of whose models is shown here.
A. LANGE UND SÖHNE
The town's watchmaking tradition started in mid 19th century.
History of craftsmanship —
The town's watchmaking tradition started in mid 19th century.
Thomas Niedermueller/Getty Images
Attention to detail is paramount, with tiny internal parts which will never be seen by customers engraved, and with each engraver displaying their own signature style. Seen here is a giant model watch by A. Lange & Söhne.
Artisanal touch —
Attention to detail is paramount, with tiny internal parts which will never be seen by customers engraved, and with each engraver displaying their own signature style. Seen here is a giant model watch by A. Lange & Söhne.
FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images
Glashütte timepieces are all mechanical, and crafted by hand with microscopic precision.
Painstaking design —
Glashütte timepieces are all mechanical, and crafted by hand with microscopic precision.
Courtsey A. LANGE UND SÖHNE
The town's Nicolas G. Hayek watch museum stands as testament of Glashütte's reputation as the birthplace of German watchmaking, displaying records of sales dating back to the 19th century.
Tradition of luxury —
The town's Nicolas G. Hayek watch museum stands as testament of Glashütte's reputation as the birthplace of German watchmaking, displaying records of sales dating back to the 19th century.
Courtesy A. LANGE UND SÖHNE
Alongside venerable heritage brands, Glashütte has seen a number of design-focused watchmaking companies develop in the last 25 years. One of them is Nomos, one of whose models is seen here, which was founded two months after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Fresh contenders —
Alongside venerable heritage brands, Glashütte has seen a number of design-focused watchmaking companies develop in the last 25 years. One of them is Nomos, one of whose models is seen here, which was founded two months after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Courtesy Nomos Glashütte
Nomos also produces a series of watches where part of the proceeds are donated to the aid group Doctors Without Borders.
Beauty with a cause —
Nomos also produces a series of watches where part of the proceeds are donated to the aid group Doctors Without Borders.
Courtesy Nomos Glashütte